Participating again to the OECD forum (@OECDLive), it was the opportunity to mark a new position, talking about the “Better Life Index” (BLI) that is monitored and measured in main countries in the world. Because GDP is not the only KPI now and we may be closed to “happiness” than ever, while the world is changing of “business and transaction” model with lot of uncertainty. BLI, for its 3.0 verse, is based on, wherever you live, the main facts and feelings about the quality of daily life and how people hold “performed and advanced” conditions, in their situation. In short, “what’s really important” for people: education, safety, environment, growth, governance, equality, trust in the future and institutions and what’s scheduled for them. BLI has been launched in Russia in January, and we enter in a consolidation year for 2013. Improve “people’s life” must be the first issue of any country in the world, and sometimes, we need not much resources than we believe. And the path and main goal is to turn KPIs and measurements into “actions, changes and relevant improvements for people”. There’s still some differences of course between developing countries and mature ones, and the BLI must be adapted to any configuration, to capture the essence of needs, live, snapshotting the main opportunities. Be ready for the next very interesting idea: link BLI results and managing government in any country, just to get some feedback about people who were elected, and how they drive and achieved or not, their democracy issues…Some surprises to come!

SMEs: backbone of the economy?

SMEs are probably the main source of the economy in the rising countries, and by the way, great suppliers for employment (in emerging countries, 97% of jobs are created in SMEs!). More flexible, agile and speed driven, they lead the competitiveness but are very exposed to bankruptcy: lack of liabilities or size, inequality in taxes comparing to larger groups, theres’s many way to improve the environment of SMEs, starting with “understandings” of what is a SME and its daily life? It seems so obvious that post of governments forget about it and only adapt rules that are driven to failure. Access to talents (draw and get trust), financial resources, trust, hold the operations line and so long are not so obvious and we’re facing many unequal statements that grip the wheel. Talking about Germany, that is celebrated to be really succesfull for its innovation and working floor for SMEs, they had to build a “specific plan”, customized, but underlining the roots and a very operational approach. No theory, no smart talks but actions and relevant environment built to success. Create conditions of success mean a whole environment of help: education, coaching, funding, capital and equity managing, training talents, taxes improvements, leveraging SMEs in organizing fair cooperation and competition between larger groups and startups. But yes they are smart “backbones” for new economy, where services take place instead of old industries…

The Asian Century

The huge demand in the zone makes it possible to go into the Asian century. But demand is not the only valuable indicator, to settle trust and sustainable conditions. Mindset and political stability may be as important as growth or wealth. And when we look at mistrust for China or North Korea, we have to consider they have some keys from inside, to turn their huge demand into sustainable and stable markets. If poor countries from the zone benefit from “low working class” conditions, making them employable, it’s already a progress but not sufficient to say the goal is over. As the competition is worldwide now, we must consider social, education, goods and services suppliance and welfare spreading as necessary step, to build a better society.

These are some milestones I had the opportunity to share and listen, in this troubled world. Talking about the main issues of unemployment, education, poverty but also happiness and security, every zone in the world has its own challenges, but saying so doesn’t mean everything is apart. Currencies, sales exchanges, custom tarifs and production costs, are linked I guess. And the necessity to progress in sustainable and green development may not be so central, as developping zones like BRICS may not hold their unlimited needs and growth. How can we deal with such problems, while growth isn’t enough and debt is increasing in Europa? Let’s have a look at the future with trust and hope demanding countries could find a way to prosper in this weird world…

Thanks to OCDE team again for this awesome event and so many networking facts.